System and method for harvesting electrical power from marine current using turbines

Abstract

A water turbine powered electrical generation system is disclosed. The generation system includes a water-driven turbine completely submerged below a flowing water source. The flowing water source rotates the turbine, which is coupled to an electrical generator. The electrical generator generates electrical power for distribution away from the electrical generation system. The electrical generation system may be located on a floating or submersible platform.

1 . A water turbine comprising:
 a rotatable body having a central hub portion;   a plurality of spoke panels, each of the plurality of spoke panels having:
 a spoke panel coupled end coupled to the body at the central hub portion; and 
 a spoke panel free end extending radially away from the central axis; and 
   a plurality of gates, each of the plurality of gates having:
 a gate coupled end pivotally coupled to the spoke panel free end of each of the plurality of spoke panels; and 
 a gate free end for pivoting movement between an open position and a closed position wherein the gate free end is in releasable engagement with an adjacent spoke panel, 
   each gate being independent of the remaining gates.   
     
     
         2 . The water turbine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a biasing member coupling each of the plurality of gates to each of the plurality of spoke panels, wherein the biasing member biases the gate free end against the adjacent spoke panel. 
     
     
         3 . The water turbine according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the gates comprises a generally actuate cross section. 
     
     
         4 . The water turbine according to  claim 1 , wherein each gate free end comprises a gate lip extending obliquely away from the vane free end. 
     
     
         5 . The water turbine according to  claim 1 , wherein each gate further comprises a rear gate portion having:
 a rear gate portion coupled end fixedly coupled to the gate coupled end for pivoting movement between an open position and a closed position; and   a rear gate portion free end,   
       wherein the rear gate portion free end is in releasable engagement with the adjacent spoke panel when the gate free end is in the open position. 
     
     
         6 . The water turbine according to  claim 5 , further comprising a filter extending between the gate free end and the rear gate portion free end. 
     
     
         7 . The water turbine according to  claim 5 , further comprising stopping means for limiting pivoting of the gate with respect to the spoke panel. 
     
     
         8 . The water turbine according to  claim 5 , wherein each rear gate portion comprises a gate opening providing fluid communication though a perimeter of the gate. 
     
     
         9 . The water turbine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a dampening member coupling each of the plurality of gates to the adjacent spoke panel, wherein the dampening member decelerates the pivoting of the gate free end toward the open position. 
     
     
         10 . The water turbine according to  claim 9 , wherein the dampening member biases the gate free end toward the closed position. 
     
     
         11 . A water turbine module assembly comprising:
 a housing comprising an inlet, an outlet, and a turbine compartment disposed between the inlet and the outlet;   a turbine disposed within the turbine compartment, wherein the turbine includes an axis of rotation; and   directional means disposed at the inlet for directing a fluid from the inlet toward one side of the axis of rotation.   
     
     
         12 . The water turbine module according to  claim 11 , wherein the directional means comprises a plurality of vanes extending inwardly from the inlet and angled to direct the fluid toward the one side of the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         13 . The water turbine module according to  claim 11 , wherein the directional means comprises a louvered wall extending outwardly from the inlet at an angle oblique to the inlet. 
     
     
         14 . The water turbine module according to  claim 11 , further comprising a flow control panel extending from the inlet toward the outlet, wherein the flow control panel is configured to direct a flow of water around the turbine. 
     
     
         15 . A water turbine generator station comprising:
 a frame having an upstream portion and a downstream portion;   a water turbine module releasably disposed within the downstream portion;   an electrical generator module releasably disposed within the downstream portion, adjacent to the water turbine module; and   an inlet flow module releasably disposed in the upstream portion adjacent to the water turbine module.   
     
     
         16 . The water turbine generator station according to  claim 15 , wherein the frame further comprises a plurality of support members extending downwardly therefrom. 
     
     
         17 . The water turbine generator station according to  claim 15 , wherein the frame is vertically movable. 
     
     
         18 . An inlet flow module for a water turbine comprising:
 a frame having an upstream portion;   a first guard comprising a plurality of restraint members, the first guard being obliquely disposed across the upstream portion of the frame, each of the plurality of restraint members being spaced from an adjacent restraint member by a predetermined distance;   a second guard disposed downstream of the first guard, the second guard comprising a mesh screen extending across the frame; and   a louvered door disposed downstream of the second guard, wherein the louvered door is remotely operable.   
     
     
         19 . A power generation module comprising:
 a watertight compartment configured to enclose an electrical generator, the watertight compartment including at least one actuator extending therethrough; and   a non-watertight compartment being in electrical communication with the watertight compartment.   
     
     
         20 . The power generation module according to  claim 20 , further comprising:
 an electrical generator disposed within the watertight compartment, wherein the at least one actuator comprises an electrical generator input, and wherein the output of the electrical generator is in electrical communication with the non-watertight compartment.   
     
     
         21 . The power generation module according to  claim 20 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises at least two actuators. 
     
     
         22 . An electrical generating barge comprising:
 a hull having a plurality of compartments;   a water turbine disposed within a first of the plurality of compartments; and   an electrical generator coupled to the water turbine, wherein the electrical generator is disposed within a second of the plurality of compartments,   wherein the hull may be ballasted to locate the water turbine below a water level.